A Celebration Worthy of Christ

Christ-Honouring Celebrations

You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 2 Cor. 8:9 NLT

“ Celebrate good times come on…” – Coolie and The Gang.

In this season, both the old and the young share one thing in common: the excitement of Christmas celebrations.  For some adults the excitement is in the present, for others it lies in the realm of fond childhood memories.

Both the young and old will readily  tell you that Christmas is the celebration of Christ.  Yet it is so easy to get lost in the tradition and not ponder deeply the implications of that fact.

Paul’s advice is instructive here:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col. 3:17 NIV

The question that begs to be asked is: Does my celebration reflect the one being celebrated? Does my celebration honour Christ?

WHAT DOES CHRIST-HONOURING CELEBRATIONS LOOK LIKE?

I.             Christ Honouring celebrations will De-Emphasize Self-Indulgence

Scripture repeatedly warns against gratifying self. It is clear to do that is dishonour Christ. 

The celebrations of many emphasize self-indulgence:

o   drunkenness

o   Gluttony

o   Overspending

o   Revelry

o   Orgies, wife swapping, illicit sexual activity

To honour Christ in our celebrations we need to practice:

(a)   Self-denial

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age… Tit. 2:11,12(NIV)

(b)   Sobriety

In view of our salvation in Christ, which was planned long ago, Peter commands us to be Holy saying:

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ… 1 Pe. 1:13(KJV)

Therefore prepare your minds for action… (NIV)

Soberness here literally means the opposite of being drunk…

It is used figuratively in the NT for being free from every form of mental and spiritual excess, be self-controlled, be self-possessed, be clear-headed.

II.           Christ Honouring Celebrations will exhibit self-divestment

The background of the text[2 Cor. 8:9] is one in which Paul is encouraging the Corinthian church to be generous givers.  He stated that He wanted to test the sincerity of their love by drawing a comparison with others- and he used Christ as the example.

Jesus ‘became poor’ – an expression which literally refers to the life of a beggar, extreme poverty… figuratively of Christ’s earthly humility and lowly life.

Christ Himself, who exhibited self-divestment.

(a) He assumed humanity- John 1:14, Phil. 2:5ff

Jesus did not desire to hold unto His deity, he humbled himself to human form.

Some of us allow or titles and positions to define us and prevent us from serving others.

Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you, to ignore what the world owes you, to think what you owe the world?

Take a pride check during your Christmas celebrations.

(b) Divested Himself of His glory John 17:3ff

 Jesus left the spendour of His majesty

Are you willing to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more that your duty in the foreground?

(c ) Divested Himself of His

III.         Christ-Honouring Celebrations will promote the  enhancement of others

The purpose of His

Are you willing to see that your fellowmen are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy?

(a)  The process of His

(b)  The process must go on 2 Cor. 8: 13 – 15

Christian generosity is intended to be a cyclical one.  Those who had plenty were to supply those in lack so that when they had plenty they will be able supply the needs of the Corinthian church.  The principle of equality.

-      The unequal distribution of wealth

-      The constant need for items in the barrel of love

Are you willing to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness – are you willing to do these things even for a day?

INVITATION

To the Christian: As you celebrate Christmas are you willing to deny self-indulgence, divest yourself pride and humbly serve to promote the enrichment of others?

To the unbeliever: Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world – stronger that hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death – and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago is the image and brightness of the eternal love?

Then you can honour Him in your celebrations.  You can honour with your life? Will you surrender your life to Him.